The U.K. and U.S. governments have announced a collaboration in safety testing the most powerful artificial intelligence models. An agreement signed by Michelle Donelan, the U.K. Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, sets out a plan for cooperation between the two countries. This agreement marks the next chapter in their journey on AI safety and aims to establish a network of institutes with the U.K. and U.S. leading the way.
The U.K. and U.S. AI Safety Institutes were established around the inaugural AI Safety Summit hosted by the U.K. government in November 2023. While cooperation between the two organizations was announced at the time of their creation, the new agreement formalizes and strengthens this collaboration. The agreement allows the U.S. government to lean on the U.K. institute during the establishment of their own institute, as the U.K.’s institute is already fully functioning.
The two AI safety testing bodies will develop a common approach to AI safety testing, using the same methods and underlying infrastructure. They will exchange employees and share information in accordance with national laws and regulations. The institutes also plan to perform a joint testing exercise on an AI model available to the public. This collaboration aims to ensure the safe development of AI, which is recognized as a shared global issue by both the U.K. and U.S. governments.
Secretary Donelan sees the role of the U.K. and U.S. as a driving force in the development of AI safety testing, with the potential to establish a network of institutes in the future. The agreement between the two governments strengthens their partnership and sets the stage for further collaboration in the field of AI safety. By working together, the U.K. and U.S. aim to set a standard for AI safety testing that can be adopted globally.
Overall, the agreement between the U.K. and U.S. governments on AI safety testing represents a significant step forward in the development of AI technologies. By establishing a common approach to testing and sharing information, the two countries are working towards ensuring the safe development of AI models. This collaboration demonstrates a commitment to advancing AI technology in a responsible and ethical manner, with the goal of setting a global standard for AI safety testing.
